Camping (Glamping)

Last weekend I was all set to send the boys off to a neighborhood camping event.. (long story, I will spare you...) anyhow, they did not get the chance to do it because of some lack of city coordination.  Fast forward to this memorial day weekend, Ahmad set out to camp with his son.  The boys picked a spot near the little play house and set up camp.  They cooked brats and hotdogs, watched a movie and tried smores and then read a story and went to bed.  Kai stayed outside all night.  The smile on his face in the tent shows his excitement and willingness to do it again.

Sandbox

Ahmad has gone and built Kai a sandbox in our backyard.  He has constructed it as only Ahmad can do... large and over the top!  Kai loves it.  During the building it was hilarious how Kai directed Ahmad to keep working... no breaks allowed!

Exploring our new neighborhood park

 This morning we checked out our new neighborhood park!  I think we are going to like this suburban life!

So, big, he can go down the slides by himself!

MY gardener

Kai loves to help water the plants.  He has also learned the word mine!  That's mine momma, that's mine.  Apparently, he wanted me to be very sure to understand that copper watering can was his.  

Point Reyes and the Beach

This weekend we took Kai out to Point Reyes.  Our first stop was the little downtown where we ran into their yearly parade.  Kai loved checking out the Fire trucks.  Next, we did a hike out to see some Elk (more pictures on that later).  We ended the weekend with a trip down Pacific Coast Highway 1 to check out tide pools and the beach.  Here Kai got a chance to fly his first kite!  

First Hiking Trip

This weekend we bought a backpack carrier and took Kai to Mt. Tam.  It was a rough start, a little boy was very tired and did not care very much for the backpack carrier.  But, after a nap on the way up the trail and lunch, we was in great spirits for the hike back to the car.  

Passed out / asleep that night

San Francisco Zoo II

This weekend we visited the zoo again!

This time we went to the Children's Zoo portion.  We first visited the Nature Trail where you could meet and greet animals (chinchilla, snakes, turtles, birds...).  Then we headed to the petting zoo area. Here I think Ahmad was more excited than Kai, but Kai was also pretty stoked.  I did not have enough quarters to be able to get enough food pellets to Ahmad for feeding the animals... darn, we have to go back... We were able to pet and feed sheep, goats, ducks and check out  the Donkeys, Roasters, Alpacs and pigs!

The picture below was maybe the funniest thing we have ever seen.  This goat had himself relaxing on a bench at the entrance of the barn.  He was just hanging out waiting for an entrance fee (food).  His front hoofs were completely off the ground and at first I thought he was a stuffed animal... As you can see Kai thought his billy goat gruff (beard) was pull worthy!

Dude, do you see this goat?  Chill'n just waiting for some food!!

Look at that smile

Super Excited!

FIrst Carousel Ride with Momma!

The Zoo!

This weekend we also joined the zoo.  Here is a look at some of the animals we saw.  I think the animals are a bit far away for Kai to really pick them out.  We plan to try the Children's area next visit!  

Lemurs

 

Kai Checking out the Penguins and the Penguins showing off!

Asian Rhino

Kai more interested in the kids

A Mandrill (a color ape)

Kai not so interested

Academy of Sciences

We had a jammed packed weekend.  After the Farmers' Market we picked up Ahmad and headed to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.  It was so much fun!  Kai loved it which was a total surprise to us.  He really got into watching the large colorful fish!  We joined as members so I see many more explorations in our future!

Family self portrait under the rainforest pond

Checking out the fishes

Kai loved the Ostriches 

24 day old Ostrich chicks

Escape from Alcatraz

It was a year ago this weekend that Ahmad, Jenn and Kai swam from Alcatraz to the shores of San Francisco.  Ahmad somehow found us in the water and helped guide us into the beach.  The currents were strong last year.  It was such a great feeling to make it into the transition area and celebrate the accomplishment knowing Kai swam with us!

SF Belle (ship which the swimmer jump off from to head into San Francisco Shores)

Swimmers coming in with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

First Picnic

Today, we celebrated the start of summer with a BBQ outside!! We initially tried Baker Beach but while the sun was shining the wind was blowing. We took ourselves over to Golden Gate park and got lucky with an open picnic spot and grill!

Kai loved watching all the kids playing in the meadow and we enjoyed the feast Ahmad prepared!

Happy Summer everyone!

Playing in San francisco

Today Kai and I went on a walk around the city.  We started with a stop in at Starbucks... I know a commercial operation which is not supportive of the local coffee industry... but we did get to ride the handicap lift up to the ordering counter!!  That was fun!

We then walked to the water by Aquatic Park and checked out the swimmers before heading up Fort Mason's hill into the park area.  We kicked off our shoes and watch the bikers, runners, dog walkers and families play.  We even got to see a large helicopter go by overhead.  The weather was great and we picnic... well one of us lunched.  This was one of my best days yet with my little man!  I see more picnics in our future, especially with Ahmad BBQ up a feast!  He just loved it outside!!

Hey there!  Aren't I cool in Mom's shades

Riding the lift in Starbucks

Shoes off and chillin in the shade at Fort Mason

Farmers Market, shopping and Owls oh my!!

As we try to get life back into a routine we headed out to our regular breakfast spot (SF Ferry Building Farmers Market). Ahmad hit up the rock gym and then picked up us family folk.

The weather was in the high 70s, which brought out the crowds and as usual the food delicious!  We then stopped by Union Square to run some quick errands!

Kai was relaxed and chilled and we decided to head out to capture some photos of the owls in Golden Gate Park!! Ahmad was the birding 'Pro' again with his fancy equipment.  The sun was out, baby was staying warm in the car and we quickly played with the settings on the scope and camera try to document the birds.  

Momma Owl

Baby Owl

After this jammed packed day, we were taught a valuable lesson that evening with our first round of crying fits... Jammed packed activity days are not optimal for our 2.5 week old... We are now keeping to one activity packed outing every other day.  We did return to the regularly scheduled nightly routine but we did recognize how delicate a balance we need to keep all parties happy.  I would say this was the baby training his parents!

Sleeping Kai during car ride